Electro-optic switching and memory effect in suspension of ferroelectric liquid crystal and iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

In this work, impact of dispersion of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) into ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) SCE-13 mixture on the electro-optical and dielectric properties has been studied. It has been found that the dispersion of Fe2O3 NPs in host FLC matrix exhibits pronounced influence on response time, spontaneous polarization, rotational viscosity and voltage required for switching the FLC molecules. Also dispersed system shows memory effect as confirmed by the optical texture and dielectric permittivity studies. Effort has been made to explain the experimental results as for as possible. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.